Location: 89, Dimitri Uznadze St, Tbilisi, Georgia
This project is a new kind of public library for Tbilisi, located just five minutes from Marjanishvili metro station, on a quiet and historic street. The site once held the city’s first bicycle track, built in 1886, and was an important place for the local community. Although it is now half-demolished and neglected, it still holds strong memories and meaning for the neighborhood. The goal of this project is not just to built on the site, but to bring back to life, to create a place that reflects its history and gives something valuable back to the city. The library is open 24/7 and designed for everyone: locals, tourists, students, and anyone looking for a calm, welcoming space. It includes reading areas, outdoor seating, a café, meeting rooms, computer area, and spaces for workshops and events. It can welcome up to 1,100 visitors at once, not including staff, and there are over 1.1 million printed books in the library. Access Is affordable, and people of any Nationality can register and borrow materials. The interior is inspired by two famous libraries: Yale’s Beinecke Rare Book Library by Gordon Bunshaft and the Exeter Library by Louis Kahn. The books are stacked across four floors, forming a spiral shape inside a square building. At the center, there is an open atrium with natural light coming in from above, creating a peaceful and bright space. The plus shaped skylight and indoor greenery make the space feel alive and welcoming. The exterior is inspired by Eduardo Souto de Moura’s Casa das Historias Paula Rego, the material is pigmented reinforced concreate, I chose a slightly darker tone than surrounding brick buildings so that library would stand out bit more, and I think this material choice helps project feel like a natural extension of its environment, rather than a disruption. Glass block was inspired by the Hermes building in Japan, designed by Renzo Piano, I used smaller glass blocks on the rounded corners, which have a radius of 1 meter, to create a smoother curve. This library is more than just a place for books, it’s a space that connects people, honors the past, and brings new energy to the heart of the city.
